Just a few months ago, Liverpool youngster Jordon Ibe was predicted to make his mark this season following the departure of Raheem Sterling, who many drew comparisons to.

But despite a glowing pre-season, the highly-rated 19-year-old has since miserably failed to show off his talent this season - which has created a vicious circle. On one hand, the lack of game-time is hurting his ability to put in good performances, but he has yet to prove he has earned more regular minutes in the league.

That has left many fans now wondering if the young English winger should go back out on loan, to continue his development, after performing so well at Derby County at this stage last season. So, what should happen to the teenager?

Has he been given a fair chance?

Ibe featured regularly for Liverpool towards the end of last season, and at the start of the season - having established himself as one of the Reds' brightest young stars.

That said, in the majority of games he has started over the last few months, he was usually being played out of position, and most notably, as a wing-back.

He did have the opportunity to get forward, but we were seeing him play a lot more defensive than the fans would like - something his strengths aren't particularly suited to, even though he impressed in the role.

Last season, fellow attacker Lazar Marković was also played as a wing-back and the results were almost identical as they were both largely ineffective, an improved run of form in the 3-4-3 aside.

The only recognised winger

Since the £49 million departure of Sterling to Manchester City, in addition to Marković being loaned out to Fenerbahce, Ibe has become the only recognised winger in the squad.

With Christian Benteke also brought in over the summer, it is worrying that this is the case, as Benteke is dominant in the air, and it would benefit him if he had players putting in crosses for him and generally providing width and an outlet ball against sides who sit deep against them.

With Ibe being the only remaining winger in the current Liverpool team, it is hard to play a formation that suits him as there are no formations that accommodate a single winger - instead requiring others to play out of position on the flank.

Does that mean he should be loaned out? Not necessarily, but it does mean he will find game-time difficult to come by for the mean-time - though Brendan Rodgers has returned to a 3-4-1-2 formation which sees the return of wing-backs.

Can he shine in the derby?

Ibe, who has looked shot of confidence in recent weeks, started to catch people eyes in last season's Merseyside Derby. Following a successful loan spell, he was recalled to the Liverpool team in January and managed to force his way into the first team almost immediately.

Although the game ended goalless at Goodison Park, Ibe managed to pick up the Man of the Match award in what was his first start of the season - hitting the post from range after a superb solo run and generally impressing with his direct style throughout.

So far this season, however, an added pressure looks to have weighed Ibe down and he has lost the youthful exuberance which made him so effective and exciting last term.

What do the Reds do? It's a tough situation. For the forseeable future, it's unlikely Ibe will be loaned out - given the Reds' lack of depth, but in the future it may seem a viable, and smart, option if his poor form continues.

Conveniently, their next match is a trip to Everton, in which Ibe - who may be called upon later in the game - can hopefully rekindle some kind of form and show the fans what he is really all about.

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